Key Decisions

The scenario highlights a set of prime policy and investment areas that need to be tackled in order to embark on the most efficient, clean and economically viable energy future:

Electrification must drive most energy usage activities

The global building stock must come close to zero-energy house standards by 2050

Best available and most efficient technologies must be the standard for all consumer and industrial devices

Electricity (smart) grid extension and expansion is a precondition for the economic integration and reliable supply of clean renewables to customers

Reliable, affordable and clean energies must be provided to the estimated 2.5 billion people on Earth whom either have no access to electricity or depend upon inefficient and often polluting solid fuels for cooking and heating

Bioenergies must be sourced carefully, will require certification and should not compromise food security, nature conservation and other essential human needs

A policy framework must be set-up to reward investments into clean and efficient energy use

Technology alone will not deliver the clean energy future – major shifts in transport and mobility, and behaviours will also be necessary.

The missing 5%

The scenario describes what could potentially be achieved using technologies that exist in 2010 – arriving at a level of global renewable energy supply of 95%.

WWF is confident that the remaining 5% gap can be covered by new technologies (which are not allowed for in the scenario).

Substantial R&D is required
The scenario raises a number of critical issues, particularly on bioenergy use, which may conflict with some of WWF’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Despite many proposed safeguards on bioenergy in the research study, WWF recommends that substantive research needs to be undertaken, and technologies developed, to replace some or most of the bioenergy applications which the scenario suggests could replace fossil fuels - particularly in fast growing transport modes such as aviation and shipping.